Cameron Smith roared into contention at the PGA Tour’s 2021 opener in Maui today.

Queenslander Smith, the world No. 27, vaulted through the red hot field at Kapalua resort with a third-round 66 including eight birdies.

The 27-year-old jumped more than 20 places in the field after opening rounds of 70-70 to finish the third round at seven-under par. With some of the leaders on the course, he was sitting inside the top 10, just three shots from the lead held by American Harris English.

Smith rolled in a bomb for birdie on the par-four second hole and it began a great day for the man who finished runner-up at the Masters late last year.

By the time he hit it in tight for an eighth birdie on the par-four 15th hole, he was tied-second, but he limped in with pars at the 16th, 17th and 18th.

The other Australians, Adam Scott and Marc Leishman are farther back in the limited field.

Scott shot a bogey-free 68 to move inside the top 20 while Leishman is well back.

Scores